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Factors Affecting Groundwater Salinization in North Governorates of Gaza Strip, Palestine
(1994-2004)
By
Zeyad Abu Heen1, Khalil Tubai2 and Medhat Abu El-Naeem3 ,
1.
2.
3.
Dept. of Environment & Earth Sciences, Islamic University - Gaza, Palestine
College of Agriculture, Al Azhar University – Gaza, Palestine
Dept. of Geology, Al Azhar University – Gaza, Palestine.
email: [email protected]
Abstract
This study aims to obtain a comprehensive picture about the spatial distribution of
chloride representing salinization in the aquifer at three stages (1994/1995, 1999/2000, and
2003/2004) through the study period (1994/2004) based on the hydrological year data. Also,
to determine the main factors affecting groundwater salinization in the North Governorates of
Gaza Strip. These factors include rainfall distribution, rate of abstraction, aquifer lithology,
topography and soil distribution. All of these factors with the effect of land use and scorched
lands.
Maps for chloride and rainfall have been drawn using hydrological year data for three
stages (1994/1995), (1999/2000) and (2003/2004) through the study period.. Also, aquifer
lithology cross sections have been drawn using WinLog 4 and WinFence softwares to
determine their effects on groundwater salinization through the study period.
This study showed that this immensely important resource is facing a huge and
accelerated salinization with chloride mainly as a result of human activities.
Salinization processes has been occurred along the western and eastern borders, as
well as in internal areas of the aquifer forming a significant number of discrete
salinity plumes. Salinized wells increased with time (55.3%) to (58.2%) to (61%).
Due to high levels and high percentage of salinized wells, most of the groundwater is
unsuitable for domestic uses. The major contributors for salinization were seawater
intrusion as a result (over pumping and urban expanding) and lateral inflow of saline water.
This is beside impact of intensive agricultural activities, waste water disposing in Wadi Gaza
and waste water treatment plants. In addition, the rainfall distribution, nature of the soil,
lithological facies, and the topography of the study area have played important roles in
accelerating in salinization in some areas than others. On the other hand, there was an
improvement in salinity under scorched lands.